Bullying can be defined as using intimidation to achieve a state of dominance over another individual. Bullying may involve conduct, including:
- Threats;
- Force;
- Coercion;
- Aggressive or offensive behavior; and
- Actual physical abuse.
In the majority of cases, bullying involves a pattern of repeated, cyclical interactions between a victim and the bully. Bullying may sometimes occur based upon several factors, which may include:
- Discrimination;
- Racism;
- Ageism;
- Work employment harassment; and
- Other factors.
Although bullying may seem similar to harassment, it is not the same. Even though harassment also may involve unwanted behaviors, it usually involves milder conduct which is more offensive than coercive.
In a case of bullying, there is an element of dominance and persuasion happening. In many cases, a bully is behaving in a certain manner because they desire to accomplish some specific goal.
For example, the bullying may occur because the individual wants the victim to do something for them, such as if the victim does not finish the bully’s project for them, the bully will tell the victim’s co-workers some embarrassing story about the victim.
Typically, harassment does not involve these types of goals. It is usually just an overall atmosphere of inappropriateness.
Similar to hostile work environment, bullying may lead to a number of different consequences. For example, the bully may face termination from their position.
In addition, a civil lawsuit may result, with the bully, or defendant, being ordered to pay damages to the victim, or plaintiff. In cases where an actual assault or other conduct occurs, criminal charges may also be a consequence.
There are different types of bullying. Cyber bullying is one type of bullying which occurs when an individual uses electronic media to perpetuate their bullying.
Cyber bullying may involve the use of:
- Email threats;
- Private photos being disclosed; and
- Posting information on social media websites.
In a work environment, they may be very difficult for the victim because there is the potential for the entire office to be exposed to the material without the victim’s knowledge.
Cyber bullying often occurs on social media platforms or interactive internet sites. This type of bullying is typically repetitive and persistent.
Common examples of cyberbullying actions include:
- Spreading rumors or lies;
- Posting or sharing disturbing, inappropriate, or offensive pictures of someone else without their consent;
- Threatening to hurt someone; and
- Stalking.
One specific example of cyberbullying would include flooding an individual’s social media with cruel remarks which are intended to cause them distress. In some states, parents have been held liable for their child’s cyberbullying.
Another type of bullying an individual may encounter is school bullying. School bullying may involve aggressive behavior which is meant to hurt, frighten, or threaten another student.
Specific examples of school bullying include when a bully:
- Waits for their classmate to enter into a certain area in order to intimidate them;
- Uses threats or aggression to steal belongings or money from another student;
- Forces another student to do homework or provide test answers for them; and
- Physically attacks another student.
It is important to note that school bullying may involve a variety of issues. It may include physical acts of violence and emotionally or mentally abusive speech or written messages.
It is common for school bullying to occur from one student to another student. It is also common for a group of students to gang up on one student victim.
In some cases, cyberbullying and school bullying may occur at the same time, either at the school or away from the school. In some cases, it may be possible to hold the school liable for damages which are caused by the cyberbullying.
It may, however, be more difficult to hold a school liable for bullying which occurs during out of school hours. A school generally has no control of students’ conduct online.
In addition, schools do not owe the students a duty to regulate their online interactions. It may, however, be possible to hold a school or school district liable for the school bullying if there is a very serious situation.
This is true if the school or school district was aware of the possible dangers but failed to investigate or take any action. Regardless of which parties may be held liable, it is important for parents to discuss bullying and cyberbullying with their children so that their children will be aware of the serious consequences.
Bullying may result in long-term psychological damages to the victim and, in some cases, the victim may take their own life because of the bullying. Bullying may have severe consequences which are not always immediately and readily apparent.
